Israel exits UN human rights council, citing ‘discrimination’
Israel has announced its intention to withdraw from the UN Human Rights Council, asserting that the organization “obsessively demonizes” the nation. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Israel announced its intention to withdraw from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) just hours after the United States departed from the organization. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused the council of unfairly targeting Israel, calling it an attack on a democratic nation and an example of anti-Semitism.
In a statement shared on X, Saar condemned the UNHRC for what he described as its disproportionate focus on Israel, while neglecting human rights abuses in other countries. He stated, “The council obsessively demonizes the one democracy in the Middle East—Israel,” and declared, “Israel will not accept this discrimination any longer!”
Saar highlighted that Israel is the only country with a permanent agenda item in the UNHRC and has been subjected to more than 100 condemnatory resolutions, which account for over 20% of all resolutions issued. He noted that this figure surpasses the combined total of resolutions against Iran, Cuba, North Korea, and Venezuela.
This move follows the U.S. withdrawal from the UNHRC on Tuesday. During his first term in 2018, U.S. President Donald Trump also exited the council, expressing that the U.S. would reassess its relationships with other UN bodies based on their positions on Israel and perceived anti-American bias.
In the executive order detailing the withdrawal, it stated, “Three UN organizations that deserve renewed scrutiny are the UNHRC; the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization; and the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.”
The order further discussed allegations that “UNRWA has reportedly been infiltrated by members of groups long designated by the Secretary of State as foreign terrorist organizations.” This refers to claims that some agency employees were involved in the October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel by Hamas. Those individuals were dismissed following an internal investigation by the UN last summer.
The executive order also criticized the UNHRC for “protecting human rights abusers,” and asserted that UNESCO has failed to reform, continuing to exhibit “anti-Israel sentiment over the past decade.”
This action came shortly after Trump drew attention with promises to “take over” Gaza, aspiring to transform it into the “Riviera of the Middle East.” He made these comments during a press conference at the White House with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was the first foreign leader to visit Trump since his new term began.
Additionally, Trump reiterated his belief that Palestinians in Gaza should be resettled elsewhere, advocating for the complete demolition and reconstruction of the enclave, which he claimed was beyond repair due to recent conflicts.
Trump's remarks faced criticism from global leaders but were widely welcomed in Israel. According to UN estimates, the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel has resulted in more than 90% of homes in Gaza being destroyed or significantly damaged, displacing approximately 1.9 million residents, the vast majority of the area's population.
Debra A Smith for TROIB News
In a statement shared on X, Saar condemned the UNHRC for what he described as its disproportionate focus on Israel, while neglecting human rights abuses in other countries. He stated, “The council obsessively demonizes the one democracy in the Middle East—Israel,” and declared, “Israel will not accept this discrimination any longer!”
Saar highlighted that Israel is the only country with a permanent agenda item in the UNHRC and has been subjected to more than 100 condemnatory resolutions, which account for over 20% of all resolutions issued. He noted that this figure surpasses the combined total of resolutions against Iran, Cuba, North Korea, and Venezuela.
This move follows the U.S. withdrawal from the UNHRC on Tuesday. During his first term in 2018, U.S. President Donald Trump also exited the council, expressing that the U.S. would reassess its relationships with other UN bodies based on their positions on Israel and perceived anti-American bias.
In the executive order detailing the withdrawal, it stated, “Three UN organizations that deserve renewed scrutiny are the UNHRC; the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization; and the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.”
The order further discussed allegations that “UNRWA has reportedly been infiltrated by members of groups long designated by the Secretary of State as foreign terrorist organizations.” This refers to claims that some agency employees were involved in the October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel by Hamas. Those individuals were dismissed following an internal investigation by the UN last summer.
The executive order also criticized the UNHRC for “protecting human rights abusers,” and asserted that UNESCO has failed to reform, continuing to exhibit “anti-Israel sentiment over the past decade.”
This action came shortly after Trump drew attention with promises to “take over” Gaza, aspiring to transform it into the “Riviera of the Middle East.” He made these comments during a press conference at the White House with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was the first foreign leader to visit Trump since his new term began.
Additionally, Trump reiterated his belief that Palestinians in Gaza should be resettled elsewhere, advocating for the complete demolition and reconstruction of the enclave, which he claimed was beyond repair due to recent conflicts.
Trump's remarks faced criticism from global leaders but were widely welcomed in Israel. According to UN estimates, the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel has resulted in more than 90% of homes in Gaza being destroyed or significantly damaged, displacing approximately 1.9 million residents, the vast majority of the area's population.
Debra A Smith for TROIB News
